From Snowfall To Scorching Heat, What Is Kashmir's Extreme Weather Flip?

News18

08-07-2025

Last Updated:
Kashmir's record-breaking heatwave is a wake-up call. With crops failing, rivers drying, and heat-related illnesses climbing, the Valley is facing an environmental crisis.
The Kashmir Valley recorded its highest day temperature in over 70 years on July 5, with Pahalgam experiencing its hottest day ever at 31.1 degrees Celsius. Following one of the hottest Junes in nearly 50 years (among the top 3 since 1975, as per SKUAST), this sudden heat spike has taken both locals and experts by surprise.
Known for its mild summers and snow-covered winters, Kashmir's climate is changing rapidly. Srinagar recorded 37.4°C, the city's third-highest temperature ever, trailing only behind records from 1953 and 1946.
The intense heat, along with unusually dry weather, is impacting daily life and ecosystems alike. According to the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce, the demand for air conditioners and coolers, once rare in the region, has surged by 180%. What's behind this sudden spike in temperature, and what could it mean for Kashmir's future?
Kashmir's Changing Climate
Kashmir typically enjoys four distinct seasons: cool springs, pleasant autumns, snowy winters, and mild summers. Until recently, cities like Srinagar rarely saw temperatures above 36°C, and hill towns like Gulmarg and Pahalgam stayed comfortably below 30°C. Regular western disturbances from the Mediterranean kept the Valley cool and moist.
But patterns are shifting. June 2025 was among the hottest in nearly 50 years, with average temperatures hovering three degrees above normal. Qazigund experienced its hottest June in over five decades at 23.2°C, while Srinagar's average rose to 24.6°C, the second-highest since 1892 (Kashmir Observer, 2025).
A 2019 study in Environmental Research Letters shows Kashmir's average annual temperature rose by 0.8°C from 1980 to 2016. Winters, especially the 40-day Chillai Kalan period, are seeing less snowfall, leading to a drop in autoconvective rainfall.
Ahmad adds, 'Lack of snow in the mountains has dried up autoconvective rainfalls, which would cause major changes in the weather system."
A 2024 study in The Cryosphere reports the Kolahoi glacier has shrunk by 23% since 1962, intensifying water scarcity and heat.
2. Urban Heat Islands and Environmental Degradation
Local environmental degradation adds fuel to the fire. Rapid urban growth, deforestation, and concrete infrastructure have created urban heat islands (UHIs) in Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag.
According to a 2024 report by the Directorate of Environment, Ecology, and Remote Sensing, 35% of water bodies around Srinagar have vanished since 1911, removing natural cooling sources.
Black carbon from diesel emissions and biomass burning further accelerates glacier melt. A 2024 CSE report notes this creates a vicious cycle: more melt, more heat, less cooling.
3. Prolonged Dry Spells
Between December 2024 and June 2025, Kashmir received 60–99% less rainfall than normal. Weather forecaster Faizan Arif told NDTV (2025), 'Extreme temperature events used to be rare. Now they're frequent."
The weakening of western disturbances and an erratic monsoon have dried up rivers and fields. The Jhelum River is down 30% in water volume, bordering drought-like conditions (Mongabay India, 2024).
Impacts of the Heatwave
1. Agriculture and Horticulture
Kashmir's economy depends heavily on crops like apples, saffron, and paddy. These are under threat. Tasneem Mubarak of SKUAST told Kashmir Vision, 'Temperatures above 25°C alter apple plant hormones, reducing yield and quality."
Water-stressed saffron fields and drying paddy lands are becoming common. Farmer Farooq Ahmad Wani from Baramulla told ETV Bharat (2025) he lost over 50% of his apple crop in 2024 due to drought and pests.
2. Water Scarcity
The 30% drop in the Jhelum River affects irrigation, hydropower, and daily life. Glaciers like the Nun-Kun Group have shrunk by 4.5% between 2000 and 2020. Ghulam Hassan, 85, from Kokernag, told The Kashmir Images, 'Water has disappeared from the streams. I've never seen this in my lifetime."
3. Public Health
Heat stress cases are surging. The State Disaster Management Authority reported a 120% increase in heat-related hospitalisations between 2020 and 2025, especially in Srinagar and Anantnag.
The health department noted spikes in sunstroke, dehydration, and even cardiovascular issues. Dermatologists are treating more skin ailments, including sunburns and fungal infections. Vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly are worst affected (India Today, 2025).
4. Tourism
Kashmir's image as a cool getaway is taking a hit. Tourists are cutting visits short as even hill spots like Gulmarg and Pahalgam heat up. In May 2025, Pahalgam recorded 27.8°C (Kashmir Observer, 2025). Nitin Jain, a visitor from Delhi, told Moneycontrol, 'It was too hot to go outside. I spent most of my trip indoors."
5. Surge in Cooling Appliances
Sales of air coolers and ACs have jumped by 180%, with affordable coolers under Rs 10,000 now a household staple. Srinagar resident Ghulam Mahuddin told Moneycontrol, 'In 50 years, I've never seen such heat. We had to get an AC for the kids."
Appliance dealers report selling 200 units per day during the peak summer, up from 25 just a few years ago.
6. Responses and Adaptation
To cope with the heatwave, schools shut from June 23 to July 7, 2025, after Srinagar posted its hottest June day in two decades (35.5°C). Health advisories recommend staying hydrated and avoiding peak heat hours. The J&K government launched its first heatwave action plan for 2024–25, but implementation is lagging.
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Experts stress the need for long-term action. Shabir Ahmad of SKUAST told Kashmir Vision (2025), 'We need to restore wetlands, manage water better, and plan cities more sustainably."
The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service (2024) warns that global temperatures in 2024 crossed the 1.5°C warming threshold, urging nations to act fast on emissions.
About the Author
Surbhi Pathak
Surbhi Pathak, subeditor, writes on India, world affairs, science, and education. She is currently dabbling with lifestyle content. Follow her on X: @S_Pathak_11.
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tags :
climate change heatwave
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Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
July 08, 2025, 16:07 IST
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